― 13 мая 2025 г.
First International Law Congress of Turkic States held in cooperation of TURKSOY with TIKA at the Yeditepe University
The ‘1st International Law Congress of Turkic States,’ held in partnership with TURKSOY was amongst other institutions took place at the Yeditepe University on May 13th–14th, 2025. The congress, organised in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), addressed the strengthening of legal cooperation among Turkic States and the establishment of a common legal framework.
The opening session of the congress was attended by Mr. Binali Yıldırım, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye and Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organisation of Turkic States; Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY and Mr. Bedrettin Dalan, the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yeditepe University as well as university rectors, legal experts, scholars and a large number of students.
Sayit Yusuf: ‘The Legal Foundation of the Turkic World is the Gateway to a Common Future’
In the speech he delivered at the opening of the congress Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY, stressed that TURKSOY has been working since 1993 to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Turkic World and added: ‘At the core of the work we have been carrying out for over 30 years at TURKSOY lies the preservation, promotion, and transmission of Turkic culture to future generations. This cultural heritage must also be based on a legal framework. Given the fact that the Turkic World shares a common history, language, and cultural heritage, it goes without saying that common legal mechanisms which are essential for the preservation and promotion thereof had to be set.’
Mr. Yusuf who also addressed youth issues stated that Turkic communities living in different regions and getting acquainted with each other to develop a common language actually form the basis of a lasting legal cooperation. Stating that law not only forms the basis of states but also ensures the security of inter-ethnic relations, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf emphasised the need to ensure the unity of a legal framework in the Turkic World along with cultural unity which has already been established.
Binali Yıldırım: ‘A Common Alphabet, Common Law and Common Future’
The former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Elders Mr. Binali Yıldırım who also took the floor at te event stated that the common future vision of the Turkic World must be built on the basis of law. Noting that the Turkish nation has acted in accordance with its understanding of law since the Göktürks, Mr. Yıldırım said:
‘We are a nation that established the first written laws. There can be no state without the rule of law. With this congress, we must resolutely address issues such as common legal systems, arbitration centres, and even a common alphabet.’
Mr. Yıldırım who also touched upon various topics ranging from the Cyprus issue to cyber security of the Turkic World, emphasized the importance of strengthening the legacy of great civilisations established by the Turkic nations in the past through legal infrastructure while also carrying it into the future.
Bedrettin Dalan: ‘Turkic Culture Lives on This Campus’
Mr. Bedrettin Dalan, the Founding President of the Yeditepe University, stated that the university's architectural structure was built in according to Seljuk aesthetics and that the campus is a place where Turkic culture is being kept alive. Mr. Dalan who also said that the achievement of a common alphabet is of great importance in terms of cultural integrity.
All Dimensions of Law Were Addressed
Comprehensive sessions held at the congress dealt with issues such as:
- common legal sources in the Turkic World,
- the implementation of the rule of law,
- cyber security law, and
- international arbitration centres
The congress, which was attended by scholars and experts in the field of law is considered as an important event in terms of presentation of common ideas and solutions for the future of the Turkic World in the field of law.
